The Etiquette Advantage is a free online publication from 1st Impressions, Inc. It is geared for those who want to enhance their self-confidence, heighten their communication skills, and outclass their competition.

Making A Great First Impression

The axiom “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” is true and is compounded by the fact that people rarely change their minds once their initial impression has been formed.

According to UCLA sociolinguist Dr. Albert Merhrabian, 90% of people will make an opinion about you in the first 10 to 40 seconds of contact. Studies have shown that the impact of the first impression is generally derived from visual (how we look and act 55%), vocal (how we use our voice 38%), and verbal (what we say 7 %) cues.

In communication, your body language can either work for or against you. Without saying a word, your body conveys a lot. Your posture, eyes, gestures, tone of voice and the space around you convey a distinct message. If your words conflict with these body messages, your nonverbal communication will be perceived as true. While verbal content is very important, if you don’t look and sound confident or credible, then it is inconsequential whether you actually are. That’s why first impressions are so vital. Use the following non-verbal principles to project a positive first impression:

	Pay attention to your apparel. What you wear is the first thing people notice about you. Make sure your attire is appropriate for the situation. Does it fit well and look good on you? Is it wrinkled or stained? Do your shoes need to be polished? There’s nothing more powerful, yet more changeable, than the choices we make in our wardrobe.
	Be conscious of body language. Poor posture, a shrug, rolling of the eyes, finger tapping, a big yawn--there is much meaning conveyed in each of these movements. Confidence and competence are often assumed from simple gestures and habits.
	Smile. Like a magnet, a pleasant facial expression draws people to you. Practice smiling so often that it becomes a habit.
	Make eye contact. Over half of communication is visual. Avoiding eye contact makes you seem untrustworthy, even if you're just feeling shy. If making eye contact is difficult, practice by looking in a mirror when you're on the telephone.
	Be enthusiastic! People want to feel special. When you first meet someone, smile, look them in the eye, give a firm handshake, call them by name, offer a compliment.  Your chances of making a good impression will greatly increase by just "being nice."

You owe it to yourself to assess the way you first appear to others. You may give off negative messages without knowing it. Ask a trusted friend or co-worker for honest feedback. Then practice on improving the areas where you are sending a message that is different than the one you desire. Aim to project confidence, competence, composure and class  and you'll be well on you way to a successful encounter!

Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.

~ Andrew Carnegie